XPL: A language for modular homogeneous language embedding

Tony Clark

doi:10.1016/j.scico.2014.08.005

XPL: A language for modular homogeneous language embedding

Tony Clark^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Languages that are used for Software Language Engineering (SLE) offer a range of features that support the construction and deployment of new languages. SLE languages offer features for constructing and processing syntax and defining the semantics of language features. New languages may be embedded within an existing language (internal) or may be stand-alone (external). Modularity is a desirable SLE property for which there is no generally agreed approach. This article analyses the current tools for SLE and identifies the key features that are common. It then proposes a language called XPL that supports these features. XPL is higher-order and allows languages to be constructed and manipulated as first-class elements and therefore can be used to represent a range of approaches to modular language definition. This is validated by using XPL to define the notion of a language module that supports modular language construction and language transformation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	589-616
Number of pages	28
Journal	Science of Computer Programming
Volume	98
Issue number	Part 4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scico.2014.08.005
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2015

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Domain specific languages
Language modules
Software language engineering

Access to Document

10.1016/j.scico.2014.08.005

XPL: A Language for Modular Homogeneous Language Embedding
© 2015, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Accepted author manuscript, 722 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/14672/1/XPL_clark.pdfLicence: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Cite this

@article{8f6bc534abef439fbe26c582d82dbc59,

title = "XPL: A language for modular homogeneous language embedding",

abstract = "Languages that are used for Software Language Engineering (SLE) offer a range of features that support the construction and deployment of new languages. SLE languages offer features for constructing and processing syntax and defining the semantics of language features. New languages may be embedded within an existing language (internal) or may be stand-alone (external). Modularity is a desirable SLE property for which there is no generally agreed approach. This article analyses the current tools for SLE and identifies the key features that are common. It then proposes a language called XPL that supports these features. XPL is higher-order and allows languages to be constructed and manipulated as first-class elements and therefore can be used to represent a range of approaches to modular language definition. This is validated by using XPL to define the notion of a language module that supports modular language construction and language transformation.",

keywords = "Domain specific languages, Language modules, Software language engineering",

author = "Tony Clark",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2015, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",

year = "2015",

month = feb,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1016/j.scico.2014.08.005",

language = "English",

volume = "98",

pages = "589--616",

journal = "Science of Computer Programming",

issn = "0167-6423",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "Part 4",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - XPL

T2 - A language for modular homogeneous language embedding

AU - Clark, Tony

PY - 2015/2/1

Y1 - 2015/2/1

N2 - Languages that are used for Software Language Engineering (SLE) offer a range of features that support the construction and deployment of new languages. SLE languages offer features for constructing and processing syntax and defining the semantics of language features. New languages may be embedded within an existing language (internal) or may be stand-alone (external). Modularity is a desirable SLE property for which there is no generally agreed approach. This article analyses the current tools for SLE and identifies the key features that are common. It then proposes a language called XPL that supports these features. XPL is higher-order and allows languages to be constructed and manipulated as first-class elements and therefore can be used to represent a range of approaches to modular language definition. This is validated by using XPL to define the notion of a language module that supports modular language construction and language transformation.

AB - Languages that are used for Software Language Engineering (SLE) offer a range of features that support the construction and deployment of new languages. SLE languages offer features for constructing and processing syntax and defining the semantics of language features. New languages may be embedded within an existing language (internal) or may be stand-alone (external). Modularity is a desirable SLE property for which there is no generally agreed approach. This article analyses the current tools for SLE and identifies the key features that are common. It then proposes a language called XPL that supports these features. XPL is higher-order and allows languages to be constructed and manipulated as first-class elements and therefore can be used to represent a range of approaches to modular language definition. This is validated by using XPL to define the notion of a language module that supports modular language construction and language transformation.

KW - Domain specific languages

KW - Language modules

KW - Software language engineering

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84954383505&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167642314003670?via%3Dihub

U2 - 10.1016/j.scico.2014.08.005

DO - 10.1016/j.scico.2014.08.005

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84954383505

SN - 0167-6423

VL - 98

SP - 589

EP - 616

JO - Science of Computer Programming

JF - Science of Computer Programming

IS - Part 4

ER -

XPL: A language for modular homogeneous language embedding

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this